BILL NUMBER: AJR 4	CHAPTERED  07/19/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   70
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 19, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   JULY 15, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 3, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 18, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Maldonado
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Frusetta and Oller)

                        FEBRUARY 11, 1999

   Assembly Joint Resolution No. 4--Relative to poisonous and noxious
weeds.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 4, Maldonado.  Poisonous and noxious weeds.
   This measure would memorialize all government agencies,
particularly the United States Forest Service , the United States
Bureau of Land Management, the Department of Transportation
(CALTRANS), the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection, to abstain from using nonnative plant
material and encourage the use of weed-free straw or California-grown
rice straw in any of their programs within California.




   WHEREAS, Poisonous and noxious weeds are spreading throughout the
State of California due to the use of straw for soil-erosion control
and road construction by California agencies, such as the Department
of Transportation (CALTRANS), the Department of Fish and Game, and
the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, by federal agencies,
such as the United States Forest Service and the United States Bureau
of Land Management, and by other federal, state, and county
agencies; and
   WHEREAS, The grazing capacity of animals, wildlife habitat, and
native plant species is being destroyed through the use of straw for
these purposes; and
   WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the state for these
agencies to use materials that are not detrimental to our wildlife,
domestic animals, and plant species; and
   WHEREAS, California-grown rice straw is produced in an aquatic
environment and cannot coexist with the yellow star thistle and other
terrestrial noxious weeds of concern; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of California,
Jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California respectfully
memorializes all government agencies, particularly the United States
Forest Service, the United States Bureau of Land Management,
CALTRANS, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection, to abstain from using nonnative plant
material and encourage the use of weed-free straw or California-grown
rice straw in any of their programs within California; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, each Senator and Representative from California in the
Congress of the United States, the United States Forest Service, and
the United States Bureau of Land Management, and to the Director of
Transportation, the Director of Fish and Game, and the Director of
Forestry and Fire Protection.
